Gundagai, Cootamundra, Harden, Boorowa and Young have all held public inquires over controversial merger proposals.

And according to Gundagai mayor Abb McAlister, his community submitted the largest number of formal submissions opposing the plan in NSW.

“The community has spoken on this: they are against any merger of their council and they feel really strongly about it,” he said.

“This is not in their interest and they see no benefits whatsoever in any merger.

“We know that we have a very stable, financially sound council – why are they doing this? It will tear us apart.”

Cr McAlister pointed to modelling that suggested any potential financial savings to come of a merger would be offset by the cost of merging.

He estimates an amalgamation between Gundagai and Cootamundra councils would cost $8 million, based on previous mergers between similar sized councils.

“This whole process has been broken from the beginning,” he said.

“It just does not add up.”

The process has also been a bruising one for Riverina MPs as they console angry electorates against their government’s own policy.

Cootamundra MP Katrina Hodgkinson has been at the receiving end of two votes of no confidence from the communities she represents.

Ms Hodgkinson acknowledged that forced council mergers had a tumultuous period in local politics, but said she remained behind her constituents.

A number of Riverina mayors told the Advertiser that having their MP at public inquiries was a boost to the town’s confidence.

“I know that this is a very challenging time and emotions are running high at the moment,” Ms Hodgkinson said.

“But I have always said I’d respect the wishes of councils … and I’ve made representations to the local government minister stating their case. 

“I’ve got a big electorate myself and I know how much of a challenge it can be to get around. 

“Geography is a big concern for people in regional communities.”

Meanwhile, in Tumbarumba, streets have been wrapped in orange ribbon in support of retaining their standalone council.

It comes amid a difficult week in Tumut and Tumbarumba, with the towns clashing at separate community meetings. 

Tumbarumba mayor Ian Chaffey accused Tumut council of running a “predatory” campaign to “swallow” his community.